Looking for places to eat in Pismo Beach was never easy…and that’s meant to be a compliment. Not only there are plenty of things to do in Pismo Beach, but for such a small town, the food is top-quality, and offered on every corner, so where should you start?
Hopefully, this guide will help you find the best restaurants in Pismo Beach for you to try during your visit; from the fresh catch of the day, the famous clam chowder, or delicious sweet treats, there’s something for everyone’s palate. Let’s get started!
Splash Cafe
If you want to enjoy a good restaurant two blocks away from the beach, or try the local specialty, head to Splash Cafe, where you’ll find the best Clam Chowder in Pismo Beach.
This award-winning dish is made from scratch every day with fresh catch, but even if Clam Chowder isn’t your thing, you’ll find many other options like chips, burgers, fish tacos, family-size portions, and desserts.
Splash Cafe also offers vegetarian dishes, so not eating fish is not a restriction so visit this restaurant. It’s an unmissable spot on the LA to San Francisco drive! You can eat at the cafe, take your meal to the beach, or ask for their delivery options.
Address: 197 Pomeroy Avenue, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Mondays-Sundays: 9 AM to 7 PM
Cracked Crab
For the seafood lovers out there, Cracked Crab in Pismo Beach offers all types of dishes with crabs (who would’ve guessed!).
The restaurant is one block away from the beach and offers fancy yet affordable meals, with family-size dishes and alternative options like soups, salads, chips, sandwiches, or tacos. They also have vegetarian meals on the menu, although this is one of the best seafood restaurants in Pismo Beach.
You can dine at the place or choose their take-out option if you’re planning a picnic on the beach.
Address: 751 Prince St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday & Saturday open until 10 PM
Ventana Grill
Ventana Grill is a really fancy restaurant, perfect for an early dinner while watching the sunset, as it’s Pismo Beach’s restaurant with the prettiest ocean view.
They offer a coastal fusion cuisine with many types of meat and fish, and an extensive list of alcoholic drinks. Since part of the kitchen is visible, you’ll get to see how your meal is prepared, which is always nice for picky customers (and not so picky too!)
Ventana Grill prepares menus for weddings and big events, so if you ever plan on celebrating your birthday on the coast with perfect views and even better food, this is your place.
Making a reservation is advisable so you ensure your table!
Address: 2575 Price St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 9 PM
Ada’s Fish House
Ada’s Fish House is a family-owned restaurant serving fantastic seafood in Pismo Beach.
Unlike other Pismo restaurants, Ada’s Fish House has both outdoor and indoor seating to make the most of the fresh air on a fine day.
This restaurant’s main dish is their award-winning Clam Chowder (yes, there are quite a few restaurants in Pismo Beach with an award: there’s a yearly contest!)
People from all over come to try this famous dish, which stands out among the best seafood in Pismo Beach; unless you’re a vegetarian, you can’t leave without having tried the Clam Chowder.
Since Ada’s Fish House specializes in seafood, on the menu you’ll find crab, oyster, and calamari, seafood pasta, fish & chips, and crab cakes, among other favorites. The place is also known for having great house wine.
The only thing you won’t easily find in Pismo Beach are sushi places, but why look for one when you have so many fantastic local meals on offer?
Address: 558 Price St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Mondays-Sundays from 11.30 AM to 9.30 PM, Saturdays until 10 PM
Surfside Donuts
Surfside Donuts is the breakfast restaurant in Pismo Beach per default for donut lovers. Not only are they beautiful, colorful, and very Instagrammable, they’re amazingly delicious.
But don’t just expect the regular, round donut; you’ll find donuts of all shapes and sizes, flavors you didn’t imagine, and even donut sandwiches!
All donuts are made fresh daily, and you can get personalized messages made with them. How cool is that?
It’s especially fun for kids, as they can get their initials in big donut letters, and you can also ask for a whole word or cute message to surprise someone.
Address: 603 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Monday from 6 AM to 11 AM. Closes on Tuesday
Oyster Loft
Winner of three Dinner’s Choice Awards, and regarded as one of the top 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States, Oyster Loft will make you fall in love immediately!
It has both outdoor and indoor seating; if the night is warm, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views from the beautiful patio.
Since Oyster Loft is located right on the beach, it has become a sought-after location for its sunset views.
As you may have imagined by now, it’s not one of the cheapest places in town, but it’s certainly worth it; the quality of the food and its presentation, the excellent service, and the attention to detail make for a truly wonderful experience.
Address: 101 Pomeroy Avenue, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 5 PM to 9 PM, Sunday 3.30 PM to 9 PM. It closes on Monday and Tuesday
Pismo Fish & Chips
Don’t be deceived by Pismo Fish & Chips’ name; they offer a wide variety of dishes, although most of them are, indeed, seafood or fried goodies.
The menu has starters as fancy as Shrimp Cocktails and Steam Clams, and goes beyond the classic Clam Chowder to offer any kind of fish chowder you want, served on a freshly baked bread dish.
Different salads and tacos also fill the menu, but don’t expect to find any vegetarian food apart from corn dogs; this restaurant is purely seafood-committed.
Address: 505 Cypress St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM to 8 PM. Closes on Monday
Joy Shell Beach
Joy Shell Beach is very Instagrammable and aesthetic, so it’s a real treat for your eyes (and IG feed!) as well as for your health, because all you’ll find here are delicious, colorful, and very healthy fruit bowls, fresh juices and salads.
Actually, their motto reads “people love to photograph our food almost as much as eating it”, so they know what they’re doing.
This is THE best restaurant in Pismo Beach for veggies, and for all of you looking for a little detox after so many fried foods and donuts; but don’t think that because it’s healthy is not going to be good!
Their Açai bowls and freshly pressed juices are the most popular items on offer, so be sure to try them.
Address: 1801 Shell Beach Road
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 4 PM
Beachin’ Biscuits
Beachin’ Biscuits is a family-owned restaurant that’s all about homemade breakfast, so if you’ve been living off donuts or grocery-store goodies for the first meal of the day, you’ll surely relish the first meal of the day at this spot.
Biscuits & Gravy, sandwiches, and burritos are their specialty. The coffee is amazing, and they also offer beer and wine to go along with their treats, meaning you can choose this spot for lunch or a terrific brunch in Pismo Beach (unless you start your day with a glass of rosé, not judging!)
The portions they sell are really generous, so be sure to come with an empty stomach.
Address: 783 Price St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Daily from 6 AM to 12.30 PM
La Bodega Tapas
La Bodega Tapas is a beautiful, cozy wooden area with a small fireplace and fancy wine exhibition, where you’ll be satisfied with a huge variety of chopped vegetables, cheese tables, and inlays.
They say that we don’t only eat with our mouths, but we also eat with our eyes; at La Bodega Tapas, they know this very well. All dishes are beautifully crafted with passion, taste, and colors, combining a full experience for the senses.
Their fusion of South American barbeque cuisine makes it the perfect place to enjoy a different dinner at Pismo Beach; the chorizo empanadas are particularly popular, so be sure to order them.
Address: 790 Price St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Weekdays from 9 AM to 2 PM, weekends add a night shift from 5 PM to 9 PM. Closes on Tuesdays
Old West Cinnamon Rolls
Handmade Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate breakfast, and you’ll find the best ones at this cafe. Old West Cinnamon Rolls is a small hidden gem, I mean, a small coffee shop that’s yet another reason why you’ll be crazy in love with this coastal town.
These Cinnamon Rolls come with various frosting options and flavors, and once you get tired of cinnamon (impossible, but you gotta keep your choices open) they also sell a fantastic carrot cake, muffins, mudslide treats, and brownies.
If you’re not into coffee you can pair your rolls with blended smoothies or fruit juice.
Address: 861 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Daily from 6.30 AM to 6 PM
Penny’s All American Cafe
If you’re looking for a traditional American breakfast or lunch, Penny’s All American Cafe is the place for you. This is another beautiful family-owned restaurant in Pismo, and it offers a great variety of options with sizes and portions equivalent to their fair price.
Penny’s cafe has great indoor and outdoor seating, and the areas are super warm and cozy. Their best dishes include Penny’s Favorite Omelette, The Country Scramble, and Penny’s Favorite Sandwich. They offer Vegan and Vegetarian options, too.
Address: 1053 Price St, Pismo Beach
Opening Hours: Mondays-Sundays from 7 AM to 2 PM
You will be thoroughly satisfied with these fantastic local eateries during the whole of your stay, but if you’re in the mood for something specific, like Italian restaurants, Mexican food, or BBQ options, around Pismo Beach you’ll find pretty much everything to indulge those cravings.
